Tom a' Bhranndaidh

The walk up Tom a' Bhranndaidh rewards you with views across the Trossachs that make the climb entirely worthwhile. It's a proper hill rather than a mountain - roughly 700 metres - but don't let that fool you into thinking it's a stroll. The path from Callander is steep in places, particularly in the final push to the summit, and you'll feel your legs working for it.

What you get at the top justifies the effort. On a clear day the vista sweeps across to Ben Ledi and beyond, with the rolling Lowland hills rolling away to the south. It's the sort of view that makes you understand why people come to this corner of Scotland. The summit itself is modest - a cairn and a trig point - but the actual panorama is the real draw here.

This is genuinely good territory for walkers with moderate fitness. Families with older kids will manage it fine, though younger ones might find the steep sections a bit much. Allow roughly two to three hours for the round trip depending on your pace and how long you linger at the top. Go early in the day if you can; the light's better and you'll avoid crowds.

Callander itself is only a couple of miles away, making this an ideal half-day outing if you're staying at Callander Woods or Keltie Bridge caravan parks. It pairs well with other Trossachs walks and keeps you moving without demanding a full day's commitment.